Photographer Ashley Sargent was inspired by her own struggle with infertility when she brought together 79 people for an awe-inspiring photoshoot.

Author: Megan Yoder

Published: 11:06 AM MDT August 9, 2019

Updated: 11:06 AM MDT August 9, 2019

What started out as a vision for photographer Ashley Sargent became a brightly-colored reality when dozens of mothers and their 'rainbow babies' gathered for a bittersweet photoshoot.

Sargent, a photographer based in Boaz, Ala., said celebrating rainbow babies -- a child born after a miscarriage or loss -- is personal.

Though she hasn't experienced miscarriage herself, Sargent and her husband dealt with infertility for more than four years.

"I began to lose hope. I felt so ashamed of myself. I felt like there was something wrong with me... like it was my fault that we couldn't have this child we so desperately wanted," she said on Facebook.

While waiting for the results of a pregnancy test, she said she made a promise to God.

"Lord, if this is it... if this is our child you want for us, I promise I will be a voice for you. I will speak hope and I will sing your praises," she said.

The test was positive.

Her son Sam is 3 now, but Sargent hasn't forgotten the sense of despair she felt time and time again. She wanted to honor mothers who lost children of their own with a massive photoshoot.

She put out a model call among her clients and was met with an incredible response.